The locker room buzzed with a tension so thick that it felt like the air was suffocating. Dave, still dripping wet from obtaining the first position in the just concluded swimming competition held in his school, made his way toward his locker. His muscles sore but the rush of adrenaline was still pulsing through his veins.
His classmates, who had cheered him on moments earlier, now whispered in hushed voices and exchanged sneers. The usual camaraderie was gone, replaced by something darker.
"Hey, golden boy!" Tyler's voice rang out, sharp and taunting. Dave stopped in his tracks, eyes narrowing as he recognized the sneer on Tyler's face. His rival, who had come second in the race, was blocking his way. "You think you're so special just because you won, huh?"
Dave clenched his jaw, his stomach tightening with a familiar unease. He attempted to sidestep Tyler, hoping to get to his locker without escalating things. But before he could take a step, Tyler's friends appeared from behind, their bodies forming a solid wall around him. The air in the room seemed to close in as the group surrounded him, their smirks widening.
"Yeah, what's the point of winning if you're just gonna make the rest of us look bad?" another classmate added, his voice dripping with bitterness.
Dave stood tall, his heart thumping in his chest, but he didn't allow his nerves to show. He had been through enough of this before, but it didn't make it any easier. Still, he held his ground, keeping his shoulders squared and his head high, despite the growing storm of voices around him. He could feel the eyes of the others on him, waiting, eager for a reaction.
Tyler's face reddened, his nostrils flaring as he stepped even closer. "I should've won that race. I'm the best swimmer here!" His voice rose, harsh and accusing.
"But everything turned around the moment you came to this school. And you know what? I'm pretty sure you cheated during the race!"
Dave's pulse quickened, but he refused to flinch. His eyes locked with Tyler's, the fire in them unwavering. "That's not true," he said, his voice calm but firm. "There's no way I could have cheated. You just weren't fast enough to catch up with me." His breath caught in his throat, but he didn't let his resolve waver. "I worked hard for this, Tyler. You can't always win, no matter how badly you want it."
Tyler's face twisted in anger, his fists clenching at his sides. For a brief moment, it felt as though the entire room held its breath, the atmosphere thick with the tension of unspoken words, of challenges about to be thrown.
But Dave held his ground, not just physically, but mentally, knowing that this was a battle he had fought a thousand times before. And yet, with each challenge, the pain of these confrontations never seemed to get any easier.
"Whether you choose to believe it or not, I won this match. And whatever claim or accusation you make against me, I'm not a cheater like you, or any of your pretending friends." He said, glaring straight into Tyler's eyes.
Tyler's face twisted into a snarl, his nostrils flaring with fury. His eyes, sharp and venomous, drilled into Dave as he stepped closer. "Shut up, nerd!" Tyler spat, his voice thick with contempt. "You think you're better than me? I'll show you who's boss!"
Before Dave could even raise his guard, Tyler had swung his fist with all the pent-up anger he'd been carrying. The punch landed with a sickening crack against Dave's cheek, sending a jolt of pain through his head. Time seemed to slow as Dave's body buckled, and he found himself crashing to the side of the locker, his hands scrambling to catch himself.
The sound of the punch reverberated through the locker room, but it was drowned out by the cruel laughter that followed. Tyler's friends were quick to circle around, their mocking voices rising, echoing off the metal lockers.
"Yeah, that's right, loser!" one of them jeered. "Who do you think you are, trying to show us up?" Another chimed in, taunting, "Bet you can't even swim as good as you think you can, nerd."
Dave's fists clenched, his nails digging into his palms, the urge to strike back burning within him. His heart raced, but he stayed frozen, his body tense with frustration. It wasn't that he didn't want to fight back, he desperately did. Every part of him screamed to stand up and defend himself. But the consequences always held him back.
This wasn't the first time Tyler had come after him, and Dave knew exactly what would happen if he retaliated. The last time he'd fought back, he was suspended for two weeks. And the reason he always held his ground and stayed silent was because of who Tyler was. He wasn't just another student. Tyler was the son of the principal. No one could challenge him, not without facing repercussions.
Tyler had the power of his mother's position behind him. She could make or break anyone's school life. Dave wasn't blind to the way the system worked, and he knew better than to give Tyler an excuse to bring down her wrath on him again.
Just as things seemed to be spiraling further out of control, the sharp, shrill sound of a whistle pierced the air, cutting through the tension in the room like a blade. Everyone froze for a moment, heads snapping towards the entrance.
Coach Jason stormed in, his broad shoulders filling the doorway, eyes sharp and focused. His presence alone was enough to make the group hesitate.
"What's going on here?" His voice was stern, demanding an immediate answer.
The group, still buzzing with their jeers and taunts, scrambled like startled rats. They scattered quickly, fading into the shadows of the locker room, leaving Tyler and Dave standing alone in the middle of the chaos.
Tyler, realizing the gravity of the situation, straightened up and tried to put on a tough front. His smirk faltered under the coach's gaze, but he still refused to look genuinely apologetic.
"Tyler, I warned you about bullying. Apologize to Dave. Now." Coach Jason's tone was cold, unwavering, and the words hung in the air like a command he couldn't escape.
Tyler's face flushed with humiliation, the anger that had been burning in his chest suddenly replaced with frustration and a bitter sense of defeat. He muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible, "Sorry," but it was clear from the way he mumbled the word that it was anything but sincere. The apology was hollow, a mere formality, a way to avoid more trouble.
As Tyler turned on his heel and walked away, his jaw clenched tightly, the anger still simmering beneath his skin. In his mind, he was already plotting his revenge. "This isn't over, ner", he thought. "You'll regret ever crossing me."
Coach Jason turned his attention to Dave, his expression softening slightly. His voice, now quieter but still firm, reached Dave's ears. "Are you okay?"
Dave, still recovering from the lingering sting of the punch and the anger in his chest, gave a small nod, though the pain in his cheek throbbed. "Yeah," he replied, his voice steady, even though a storm of emotions raged inside him. He wasn't sure if he was trying to convince the coach or himself.
Coach Jason placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, the gesture both reassuring and grounding.
"I know it's tough here, Dave," Coach Jason said, his voice low but steady, the weight of his words settling in the air. His eyes softened as he looked down at the young swimmer, who was still catching his breath after the competition. "But you've got to endure it. At least until your final exams are over."
The coach paused for a moment, his hand briefly resting on Dave's shoulder as if to lend a little strength. His voice grew firmer, more encouraging. "Don't let anyone, not even Tyler, drag you down. You've got something special. You're meant for great things, Dave. Remember this: champions never give up, no matter how hard it gets."
A small, genuine smile tugged at the corner of Dave's lips as he heard the coach's words. A quiet pride bloomed within him, a warmth spreading through his chest that chased away some of the earlier sting of Tyler's insults. "Maybe I can do this," he thought. "Maybe I can keep pushing through."
Dave looked up at Coach Jason, his words sincere as he nodded. "Thanks, Coach."
The coach gave him a final pat on the back before turning and striding toward the staffroom. The door clicked shut behind him, and for a moment, the locker room felt quieter, emptier.
With a long exhale, Dave began to gather his things. His bag was slung over his shoulder, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of exhaustion settling into his bones. The day had been both a triumph and a trial.
He had won the swimming competition, securing first place with an effort that still buzzed in his veins. But the feeling of victory felt muted, overshadowed by the loneliness that always lingered when the crowds dispersed and the adrenaline ebbed away.
Dave's victory should have been a cause for celebration, but he had no one to share it with. No family to call and brag to, no friends to high-five or laugh with. Instead, his apartment in the school living quarters awaited him, silent, empty, save for the occasional presence of another orphan who lived there too. A girl, quiet and reserved, who he hadn't spoken to much.
They shared the same class, but their interactions were brief, mostly consisting of polite nods in passing. Dave couldn't find the courage to speak to her, not with all the walls he'd built up around himself. 'What's the point?' he thought. 'What if she doesn't want to talk to me anyway?'
As he walked out of the school building, the cool evening breeze hit his skin, refreshing yet calming. His footsteps echoed against the pavement as he made his way to his quarters, a few blocks away.
He didn't feel like thinking about anything else but the peaceful rest he hoped to find after such a draining day. 'A quiet meal, a long sleep...' His mind wandered to the simple comfort of routine.
Suddenly, his thoughts were broken by the unmistakable pressure of a hand clamping down over his mouth from behind, yanking him back into the shadows. Panic surged through him, his heart racing. He fought against the grip, but the strength behind it was overwhelming.
A cold voice hissed in his ear, sending a chill crawling down his spine. "You're going to regret ever messing with me, nerd."
Dave's body tensed, adrenaline flooding his system. He struggled harder, but Tyler's friends had closed in. Their hands were like iron, pinning him down with terrifying force. His mind raced, but his body was trapped, immobile against the van's cold metal floor as they shoved him inside.
The doors slammed shut behind him with a harsh, finality that echoed in the small space. Dave's breath caught in his throat, his heart thudding painfully as he tried to make sense of what was happening. He glanced around, but the darkness in the van swallowed everything, leaving him with only the sound of his own rapid breathing.
'This can't be happening.' His thoughts screamed, but the reality of the situation was unmistakable. He had been kidnapped and the van seems to be heading somewhere, away from the school premises.
The van screeched to a halt in front of an abandoned warehouse, its windows like empty eyes staring back. Dave's heart raced as Tyler's friends hauled him out, their faces twisted in cruel grins.
"Welcome to your new swimming pool, Dave," Tyler sneered, shoving him toward the entrance.
Dave stumbled, his eyes adjusting to the dim light inside. The air reeked of decay and rot. He knew he was in grave danger.
"You're not going anywhere, golden boy," Tyler taunted, his eyes glinting with malice. "This is where your winning streak ends."
Tyler's eyes gleamed with malice as he dragged Dave into the abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town. The once-thriving building now stood as a testament to neglect, its windows shattered, and its walls covered in graffiti.
"Time to teach you a lesson, so next time, you won't even think of messing with me," Tyler sneered, his voice echoing off the walls.
Dave's classmates closed in, their faces twisted in a mixture of excitement and fear. With a surge of adrenaline, Dave tried to break free, but Tyler's friends overpowered him, as they bound his wrists and ankles with rusty chains, leaving him helpless.
The beating began, each blow landing with precision and cruelty. Dave's body screamed in agony as fists and feet connected, sending him crashing to the ground.
Just when it seemed like all was lost, Dave remembered the words of his coach: "Champions never give up."
With a surge of adrenaline, Dave summoned every last ounce of strength. He flexed his wrists, feeling the chains loosen ever so slightly. Tyler, caught up in the frenzy, failed to notice this.
Dave waited for the perfect moment, then made his move. With a fierce cry, he burst free from the chains, sending the group stumbling back.
He sprinted toward the door, but it was locked. Panic set in. That's when he spotted the broken window, a sliver of moonlight beckoning like a lifeline.
Dave launched himself at the window, shards of glass slicing his skin as he squeezed through the narrow opening. He landed hard on the ground outside, gasping for breath.
Freedom!
Stumbling through the darkness, Dave found himself running through the streets, but his feet were too wobbly and weak to run faster, and he feared that Tyler and his cohorts might catch up with him sooner or later!
The punches and beatings from them had caused a great amount of blood to be lost from his body. He might collapse anytime soon, and it won't take long for Tyler and the rest to catch up with him.
With no hospital or safe place to seek refuge, Dave had eventually given up. His teeth gritting hard on the pain coursing through all parts of his body.
"Fine, if this is how I'm going to die. Then it's alright. The world hasn't felt living anyway. It's just full of bad people who takes privilege of your kindness only to repay them with evil in the end. If it's my fate to die, I'll gratefully accept it."
"I just regretted that I never got to accomplish anything yet in this world. Even the swimming that I'm good at, there are those that are trying to bring me down."
"Heck! I never even dated anyone. And that's the most painful part! I'm such a loser! Arghhh!"
With no more hope of survival, Dave fell to ground with his face facing the dark-pitched sky.
Suddenly the sky started to light up as if the sun was rising again. But that wasn't suppose to happen in the middle of the night.
"Am I imagining things? It looks like the Sun is falling from the sky?" Dave uttered, his eyes dimming slightly at the immense brightness of the light.
The next thing he knew, everything had turned dark all of a sudden…